Power outage: Fewer homes in the dark

Duke Energy reports about 1,300 Butler County homes are without electricity at this hour.

3:40 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18

Duke Energy reports more than 12,000 Butler County homes are without electricity at this hour. Repair crews are active in Oxford this afternoon.

Update 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18

Duke Energy reports 33,000 Butler County homes are still without electricity this afternoon. An Oxford-specific count is not available.

Update 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17

Duke Energy reports 57,787 people in Butler Co. are still without power. Oxford numbers were unavailable this afternoon.

The city is collecting necessities for families and students still without power in Oxford. See story here.

Update 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16

While power is still out in 35 percent of Oxford and Oxford Township, numerous services are restored and new offers are available to Miami University off-campus students and local residents.

Starting with Tuesday dinner, housing, dining and guest services is offering a 15 percent discount at all five buffet dining locations, Alexander, Erickson, Hamilton, Harrison and Martin halls, to off-campus students who do not have a meal plan and to community members and Miami employees. This benefit lasts through dinner Friday, Sep. 19. For those who can access a computer, locations and hours are online.

Miami University's recreational sports center has extended through Friday its invitation to members of the Oxford community who are still without power to use the center's showers. The rec center is open til 11 p.m. weekdays.

University officials surveyed the city and found banks, most ATMS and gas stations, Kroger, Walgreens and Walmart are now open. Shriver Center's ATMS have been repaired. Small checks can be cashed at the box office.

Update 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 16

Classes are in session at Miami.

The majority of buildings on Miami's Oxford campus are open and powered by Duke Energy today. The university transitioned to its primary power source from back-up generators overnight.

Miami's Recreational Sports Center has re-opened and extends an invitation to the one third of the Oxford community who are still without power to use the center's showers today, Sep. 16. Off-campus students and other residents are welcome. Non-members will be asked to sign in at the guest desk. The rec center is open until 11 p.m.

While Miami Metro buses are running, many traffic lights are not, so students are advised to expect delays.

Due to the power outage, the university has extended some academic deadlines and is encouraging flexibility on students' behalf.

Update 4:50 p.m. Sept. 15

Classes on all Miami Butler Co. campuses are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Shriver Center will be open all Monday night, with food service, however, King Library closes at 9 p.m. and it will re-open at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Metro buses tonight will only run from the Ditmer and W. Millett lots. The Nighttime Door-to-Door service is running. Tomorrow Metro buses begin at 7 a.m. and resume normal operation. The Access Miami medical transport will also resume at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

The university is still running on back-up power, so please reduce your electric use, in residence and academic buildings.
There will likely be no air conditioning in campus buildings.

If walking around campus, please continue to be watchful of downed limbs and power lines.

Update 10:30 a.m. Sept. 15:

While Miami University campuses are closed today, Sept. 15, power was restored to Oxford's residence and dining halls overnight with back-up generators. Off-campus students are welcome to eat at the dining halls or Shriver Center. Generators are powering many other buildings as well.

No injuries have been reported.

Student health services are open and King Library is open. Metro buses will run today only from Ditmer and Millett lots to campus.

The Work-life Balance Expo that was scheduled for Sept 16 is cancelled until further notice.

The university has had 105 trees downed or severely damaged and crews have begun working to remove limbs and trees. Community members are reminded to be cautious walking near trees on campus.

Students are reminded not to eat thawed food or produce that may be unsafe.

It appears few local gas stations are open.

A decision on opening campuses Tuesday will be made late this afternoon.

Posted Sept. 14

Miami University is canceling classes Monday, Sept. 15, on all three Butler Co. campuses due to a regional power outage due to high winds.

The university's back-up power source is being configured to bring power to several essential buildings including residence and dining halls.